1 Peter 5:1-5

1: Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2: shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3: nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4: And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5: You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

***

Peter spoke to the elders, including himself as a fellow elder with them. He spoke as a witness to Christ’s sufferings and a partaker of the coming glory. He exhorted them to shepherd the flock of God among them. He said not to be forced into it, or to do it for ungodly profit or selfish motives, but to volunteer with eagerness according to the will of God.

Peter also exhorted the elders when shepherding the flock, not to lord it over those given to their charge, but to be an example to them. He told them when the Chief Shepherd appears they will receive an unfading crown of glory—a reward for their service. This served as a motivation, as well as a reminder, that there is a Chief Shepherd over them and the flock belongs to God.

He also spoke to the younger men telling them to be subject to the elders. The younger ones were those who served under the elders, or overseers of the church, who would be mature in faith as well as age. Peter told all of them to clothe themselves with humility toward each other, and quoted Proverbs 3:34 to say that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. He is not condoning a class system which promotes prestigious position of pride and separation, but encouraging each one to serve in their calling with mutual respect and humility.


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